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Can cables of any cost and quality provide bass response missing in my B&W speakers?

I'm sure variants of this question have been offered previously, but let me ask in light of the following:  I have a very modest main system powered by an Adcom 555II amp, Adcom GFP-750 pre-amp, and run into a pair of B&W CM-4 speakers (6.5in woofer, 6.5in. woofer/mid. and tweeter, and bi-wireable).  Any music with a moderate-to- heavy bass component (organ, bass fiddle, etc) just doesn't translate to my ear.  I'm using a mid-range pair of Monster cables, and in fact tried a second pair of Z-Series to no audible difference.  On the other hand I have a legacy pair of a/d/s 1090L tower speakers (2x7.5in woofers, 6in. mid-range, tweeter) that deliver thundering bass when needed regardless of cabling used, and powered by the same system.  Even tried passive bi-amping for the B&Ws by using an old Carver M-500t amp for HF input, and Adcom amp for LF input...no diff.  Is there any point really in looking at higher-end speaker wire of, e.g., thicker gauge, or exotic geometry, or multi-conductor "shotgunning", whatever, in order to induce greater LF response from the CM-4s?  Thanks for your patience.
compass_rose
compass_rose OP
23 posts
 
A brief point to note: for many years I had a classic Yamaha M-85 brute to service the speakers, and FWIW always thought the CM-4s delivered passable bass...unfortunately the amp went Chernobyl on me a few years ago, hence the Adcom.
erik_squires
16,022 posts
 
Compass, you actually hit on something. I was going to mention it but thought it was not worthwhile.

The reviews I read say they have a minimum impedance of around 3.9 ohms in the bass. That should be fine, but if your amp was weak for some reason then a softening in the bass is what you would get.  This can make a speaker seem more "discerning" - I call it more demanding.

I would say changing amps is a better idea than cables.

Best,

E
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
@compass_rose - my point is not really to just get a larger cable.  It's to look for solid-core conductors.  I had a Beldon 5T00UP speaker cable, which is a larger 10awg cable, but it used a stranded bundle of copper.  When I switched to the Audioquest Midnight, which is also a 10awg cable (but used large individual solid-core conductors), I had a significant increase in bass power, definition and quality.
compass_rose OP
23 posts
 
auxinput...so, how about just using No. 10/2 Romex cable...single Cu conductor, solid, unstranded?  I have about 50ft left over from running 240V service for a wall heater...always curious how simple electrical wire would work in home stereo setup.  Also, there is a stranded version as well - THHN #10, 19-strand pure Cu...cheap enough at Home Depot...not being sarky, a legitimate query.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
3,995 posts
 
Audioquest+1, my experience no cables can do what a subwoofer can do in terms of bass...
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